Electrical connecter



Feb. 28, 1933. R F POWE R 1,899,824

ELECTRICAL GONNECTER Original Filed Dec. 17, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Feb. 28, 19 33 iJNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE RICHARD FITZ POWER, OF HAMPSTEAD, LONDON, ENGLAND ELECTRICAL GONNECTER Original application filed December 17, 1931, Serial No. 581,727, andin Great Britain December 22, I930.

Divided and this application filed March 29, 1932. Serial No. 601,852.

This invention relates to electrical connecters for connecting portable apparatus with supply mains.

More particularly the invention relates to connecters embodying a switch which is particularly adapted to connect an electrically heated domestic iron with supply mains.

A principal object of the invention is to devise a connecter fora domestic iron wherein a switch is embodied in the connecter and means are provided whereby the switch is actuated to switch on the supply by the action of the operator gripping the handle of the iron and the supply is immediately cut off when the operator releases his grip of the handle so as to prevent damage to an article being ironed through the iron being left standing on the article with the supply on.

Another object is to provide means whereby the iron may be stood on end and remain switched on so as to prevent it cooling.

Another object is to construct a connecter embodying a switch so designed as to minimize arcing at the contacts, whilst a. still further object is to devise a connecter for connecting a domestic electric iron with supply mains wherein a switch e. g. according to Serial No. 581,727 is embodied in the connecter which shall be simple and cheap to manufacture and robust and reliable in operation.

This case is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 581,727, filed Dec. 17, 1931.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following specification and claims and appended drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an electric iron with a connecter according to the in vention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a dissected isometric view of the connecter taken from the rear; v

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connecter taken from the front;

Fig. 4 is a view of a connecter for an electric iron incorporating a switch of the type shown in Fig. 1, the connecter cover being 'treme end of the rod 13.

removed to show more clearly the switch, while 1 V Fig. 5 is a side view partly-in section'of the device shown in Fig. 2 and showing the switch controls, but with the coverin place.

Fig. 6 is an isometric plan view of the switch and actuating means therefor, parts being omitted for sake of clearness.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 6 of companying drawingsLThe. connecter comprisesa casing 10f insulating material, having a projecting adapter portion 2 in which contact sockets 3, 4 are lodged in bores 3a, 4a therein to co-operate'with corresponding co'nnecter pins on an electric iron.

The casing 1 is provided with a cover 5 of insulating material secured by mrews (not shown) entering tappings 5a, which cover completes the housing for the switchwhich is connected to the supply by leads 6, 7 which pass through suitable bores 6a, 7 a in the side of the casing, having been threaded through a side block 8 within which the leads are knotted in the usual well known manner, and which is screwed on the casing 1, through holes 8d, the end'block 8 having a bore 8a for the passage of the two leads opening. in

the acto a recess 85 in whichthe knot in the leads is lodged. The usual protective armoured tubing is provided for leads-in the vicinity of the iron.

The switch is preferably of the kind de scribed in co-pending application Serial No. 581,727 filedDecembe-r17, 1931 ,the diaphragm being in the form of a strip 9, the ends of which are freely lodged in notches in two metal plateslO, 11 and the centre part of which is secured to obtain electrcial connection to a metallic sleeve 12 bya nut member 12a thereon, the sleeve being freely slidable on a rod 13 the ends of which are guided in the housing in bores 14, 15 the bore 14 extend:

ing into a tapping 1% which receives a hollow plug .14?) which engages over the ex-' Against the strip 9 is fixed on the sleeve 12 a resilient contact strip 16 of spring metal, which when the switch is operated tomake or break wipes a metallic. contact plate 17 carried on an insulating block 18 inthe bottom of the housing, the contact plate 17 being apertured centrally for the passage of an insulating boss 19 emanating from the insulating block18, the contact plate having 5 a lug 20. extending into a boring 18a in the socket 3 and forms an electrical connection accommodating the soc between the plate 17 and the socket 3.

Beneath the insulating block 18 and within the housing is an L shaped metal plate 22 which has a lug 23 dis osed in the bore 464 ket 4, to which it is connected by a wire 24.

The plate 22 is connected to the lead 7 of supply and the notched plate 11 is connected to the lead 6 of supply, so that when the diaphragm is distorted so that the resilient contact 16 is applied to the contact plate 17 the currentwill flow through-the lead 6, notched plate 11, diaphragm 9, resilient contact 16, contact plate 17 to socket 3, thence through the heating elements of the iron back through socket 4 to the L shaped plate 22 and thence to lead 7 back to the supply. Instead of the resilient metal strip 16 a rigid member might be oarriedon the sleeve 12 and pro vided with resilient contacts.

On the lower end of the rod 13 is fixed a bush 25 which as the rod is moved up and down is guided in a boring 19a in the boss 19 co-axial with the boring 15 of the casing and with the boss 19 of the block 18, and between the bush and the sleeve 12 is located a spring 26 on the rod 13 and below the diaphragm 9.

On the front wall of the casing 1 is a lug 27 which guides a pin 28 fixed to an arm 29 rigidly connected to a key 30 for the switch. The key 30 is in the form of a hollow handle loosely constructed to overlie the ordinary handle of an iron and is connected at its forward end 31 to a pair of supporting arms 32 fixed to the front wall of the casing in any suitable manner, one to each side of the lug 27, the arms 32 being connected by a bridge 33 including a hooked portion .3 1 whichengages into a slot 35 in the key '30 to provide the hinge connection at 31 aforesaid.

In use the arms 32 connected by the bridge 33 straddle the normal handle of an electric ner that the switch is normally maintained open.

When ironing, the key'30 is depressed by the operataor by the palm of the hand when gripping the normal handle of a fiat iron, and this depression of the key 30 is effected at the expense of compressing the key spring 36. Thereby, as hereafter explained, the

- switch is closed, .whilst if the hand is removed from the key the switch is immediately opened.

The arm 29 is hinged at .37 to two links 38 which overlie the diaphragm 9 and protrude through an opening 39 in the front of the casing and between which the rod 13 of the switch passes and to which they are rigidly connected by a pin 40. Consequently when the key 30 is depressed the rod 13 is'depressed also, the bush 25 passing down through the insulating block 18, and the diaphragm strip 9 with the sleeve 12 being'moved by the diaphragm 9 which is being depressed by the links. 38. As the diaphragmfis free on the rod 13 which passes through it and since the diaphragm has reached its dead-centre position, it executes the remainder of its travel in an unrestricted manner under the force due to its own resilience, leaving the operating links and rod behind. Since the key spring 36 exerts a force greater than the resistance of the diaphragm, assoon as the key is released it is returned to its-raised position by the key spring 36 and in so doing pulls the rod 13upwardly. This pulls the bush 25 thereon and compresses the spring 26 between it and the sleeve 12 until it is solid betweenthe bush on the rod and the diaphragm, and then, acting through the spring 26, raises the diaphragm towards its deadcentre position.

As soon as the resistance of the diaphragm becomes less than that due to the energy stored up in thespring 26,'the latter expands and positively forces the diaphragm over its dead-centre position, thereby opening the switch contacts on a snap action. In this way a rapid break is insured, however slowly pressure is taken off the switch key.

The resilient movable contact member is so the fixed contact member before the diaphragm has reached its position of rest. 7

Consequently, the final movement of the diaphragm forces the resilient contact down on to the fixed contact and causes spreading of its ends, whereby the ends of the movable contact wipe over the fixedcontact. This operation is repeated when the circuit is being broken and takes place before the actual break occurs. Thus, the contacts are cleared at each make and break thereby preventing corrosion.

The cover 5 at the rear of the casing is provided with an opening 11, the upper wall 42 of which forms an abutment for a cam shaped finger 13 hinged at at on the rear side of the diaphragm to the links 38 which are connected to the key on the other side, the arrangement being such that when the iron is placed on its end the finger member may assume two positions claimed in co-pending patent application Serial No. 482,495 filed September 17, 1930;

as described and in one of these positions shown in full lines in Fig. 5, the finger is ineffective and the switch'is open so that the iron may be cooling; in the other position shown in chain lines in Fig. 5 the weight of the iron acting through the upper wall42 of the opening 41' causes the cam face 45' of the fingerto slide relatively to the casing and move the links 38 in a manner to force the switch to the on position, whereby the heating element of the iron continues to be supplied with current and the iron remains hot, although in a po sition in which it can do no damage.

By attaching the leads 6, 7 to the side of the casing, the cable does not get in the way when the iron is stood in the vertical position, and moreover,-bending' of the cable is re duced during ironing operations and consequently the liability to fracture is materially reduced.

It will be understood that a safety. switch for an iron as above described could COl'lVBIl-r iently form an integral part of the iron structure instead of being formed in a separate connecter attachment as above described.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides in the form of a separate unit or entity a combined switch and adapter which the plug and a key hinged forwardly of the attachment to actuate the switch to the on position having a spring associated with the key normally keeping the switch open of a finger protruding at the rear of the attachment operatively connected to the key, the finger having a cam face, and an abutment on the rear face of the attachment disposed to act on the cam face when the iron is stood on end and to force the finger relatively to theattachment and thereby the key to close the switch as a result of standing the iron on end at the expense of tensioning the spring. r

2. The combination in an attachment plug for an electric sad .iron adapted to. fit the terminal of the iron with a control switch on the plug and a key hinged forwardly of ing a cam face, and an abutment on the rear face of the attachment disposed to act in the one position of the finger on the cam face when the iron is stood on end and to force thefin'gerrrelativelyto the attachment and thereby the key to close the switch as a result of standing the iron on end at the expense of tensioning the spring, the finger in the other position tending to hold the key in the open position under the weight of the iron.

3. The combination in an attachment plug for an electric sad iron adapted to fit the' to the key, the finger having a cam face and an abutment on the rear face of the attachment, disposed to act on the cam face when the iron is stood on end and force the finger relatively to the attachment, and thereby the key to close the switch as a result of standing the iron on end.

4. The combination in an attachment plug for an electric sad iron adapted to fitthe terminal of the iron with a diaphragm operated control switch on the attachment,an actuating rod, passing through said diaphragm, a spring influenced key hinged forwardly of the attachment connected to and normally holding the rod ready for actua tion to close the switch, a spring between the shoulder and diaphragm on the contact side thereof, whereby there is a lost motion connection between said rod and diaphragm, and energy is conserved to assist the diaphragm to open the switch, when the key is released, a finger protruding at the rear of the attachment, operatively connected to the rod, the finger having a cam face and an abutment on the rear face of the attachment disposed to act on the cam face when the iron is stood on end and force the finger relatively to the attachment, and close the or switch as a-result of standing the ironon end,

the key spring initiating the opening of the switch through the agencyof the spring on the pin when the iron is set upright.

5. The combination in an attachment plug for an electric sad iron adapted to fit the terminals of the iron with a key hinged forwardly of the attachment, of a diaphragm operated switch on the attachment, an actu ating rod passing through said diaphragm connected to said key, a spring located between each. shoulder and the diaphragm, so 1 that there is a lost motion connection between said rod and diaphragm, and energy conserved to open or close the switch, a spring associated with said key normally holding said key ready for actuation to close the switch, a finger protruding at the rear of the attachment operatively connected tothe rod, an abutment at the rear face of the at tachment, a cam face on the finger disposed [to be engaged by the abutment when the iron is stood on end and force the finger relativelyto the attachment, therebyactuating the rod against said key spring to cause the switch to be closed.

I 6. An attachment plug for an electric sa iron including a plug portion adapted to fit the iron socket and terminals therein and' a superposed housing including apertured front and rear walls, the opennigs being opposite one another, arms on the front face of the housing, a lug disposed between said arms, a key freely hinged on the free ends of said arms, a pin depending from the key and guided by said lug and a spring on said pin between said lug and key, a switch in said housing, an actuating rod for the switch guided in said housing, means connecting said key and rod passing freely through the opening in the front wall of the housing, a finger protruding freely through th opening in the rear wall of the housing hinged to said connecting meansfor the key and rod and a cam face on the finger disposed to engage the wall of the rear opening and force the actuating pin to close the switch at the expense of tensioning the key spring.

7; An attachment plug for anelectric sad iron including a plug portion adapted to fit the iron socket and terminals therein and superposed housing including apertured front and rear walls, the openings in the front and rear walls being opposite one another, side walls, electrical conducting grooved plates lodged on the inside of each side wall, and a base to the housing separating said side walls, a diaphragm strip located in the hous said apertured front wall, a finger hinged to the rod and extending through said apertured rear wall and a cam face on the finger disposed to engage the wall of the rear opening and force the actuating rod to close the switch at the expense of tensioning the key spring, a shoulder on said rod overlying said diaphragm, a shoulder on said rod spaced below said diaphragm and a spring disposed with free play in the space between said diaphragm and shoulder spaced therefrom.

'8. An attachment plug for an electric sad iron including a plug portion adapted to fit on the side wall, an actuating rod forthe diaphragm passing freely through the strip, a resilient contact connected to the diaphragm for operation therewith, fixed contacts in the base of said'housing, one'side wall of the housing being apertured for the passage of leads, a spring influenced key hinged forwardly of the casing, links transversely overlying said diaphra m and terminating in the openings of thefront and rear walls of the housing, a hinge connection between said linksand key, a finger hinged to the other ends of the links and protruding through the opening in the rear wall, a cam face on the finger disposed to engage thewall of the rear opening and force the actuating rod to close the switch at the expense of tensioning the key spring, a shoulder on said rod spaced below said diaphragm, and a spring disposed with free playbetween said diaphragm and shoulder.

9. An attachment plug for an electric sad iron including a plug portion adapted to fit the iron socket and terminals therein and a;

superposed switch housing including apertured front and rear walls and side walls, means for connecting the switch poles to the suppply through one of the walls, a key hinged forwardly of the attachment adapted to overlie the iron handle connected to the switch, a spring associated with said key tending to keep the switch open, and a finger connected to the switch protruding through the opening of the rear wall having a cam face'adapted to operate with the wall bounding said rear wall opening and force the switch to closed position at the expense of tensioning said key spring 10. An attachment plug for an electric sad iron including a plug portion adapted'to fit the iron socket terminals therein and a superposed switch housing including apertured front and rearwalls and side walls, means for connecting the switch poles to the supply through one of the walls, a pair of arms fixed to the front wall and a bridge connecting the free ends of the arms shaped to overlie an iron handle, a key freely hinged to the arms I above the bridge, alug on the front wall beneath and between the arms a pin depending from said key guided in said lug, a spring on said pin between the lug and key, means connecting the key and switch whereby the spring tends to keep the switch open and a finger connected to the switch protruding through the opening of the rear wall having a. cam face adapted to operate with the Wall bounding said rear wall opening and force the switch to closed position at the ex pense of tensioning said key spring.

In testimony whereof I affix no signature.

RICHARD FITZ OWER. 

